jsamans

Just got back from a 4 day trip from Seattle to western Montana (was scouting for big game hunting this Fall). Had an amazing drive, it was my first long distance drive in the car, and my first real time driving it on the highway. The first ~2700 miles I did mostly around town and on back roads.

First here are the numbers from the trip (note that I had about 400 lbs. of gear in the car too):

To Montana
Time: 6:24
Miles: 399
MPG (average): 26.1
MPH (average): 61

From Montana
Time: 6:15
Miles: 399
MPG (average): 26.6
MPH (average): 63

The trip was pretty straightforward -- about 4.5 hours on I-90 and the rest on smaller highways through Idaho and into Montana. I-90 is a beast of a road. Where I started, about 12 miles east of Seattle where I live, it rises quickly over the mountains at Snoqualmie Pass (elev. 3022) through breathtaking mountain scenery. For the remaining stretch into Idaho it is almost completely straight and very flat, with the exception of the Columbia rivier gorge. Except for a few stretches near Spokane, the road surface is very new and in great condition. Through the entire trip (both ways) I only saw 1 state police cruiser, so I was really able to hammer it. For most of the trip on I-90 I had the cruise control set at around 88 mph, at this speed the RPMs hovered around 2700-2800.

The car was a blast to drive. People see that grill in their rear view mirror and get the heck out of the way. For those that don't, passing at these speeds is a breeze. Very easy -- almost effortless -- to go from 85 mph to 110 mph. On the 2 lane roads in Idaho and Montana passing cars doing 70 mph was no problem. It was amazing how quick the car felt at speed, and the acceleration. A throaty growl from the engine and you're gone. I was really impressed with it, felt and sounded like I was driving something a whole lot nicer than an A4. I can't get enough of that exhaust note.

On the curvy highway stretches heading up and coming down the pass on I-90 the car handled amazingly. At close to 100 mph it does not feel squirrely on curves at all, very solid. The steering responsiveness was outstanding. Going uphill the engine barely broke a sweat.

The 3.2 is nice around town, but after this drive, I find that it really hits its prime on the freeway.

One thing for sure, it was a BUGGY drive:

<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~jsamans/audi/bug.jpg" />
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~jsamans/audi/bug1.jpg" />
<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~jsamans/audi/bug2.jpg" />

RoyM

I have only had my 3.2 for a few days (155 miles on it now) and already I am hooked on the throaty growl of the engine.

Joel Mundt

Thanks...gives me something to look forward to

SoCalB7

Nice, makes me want to take a road trip...

Buckeyedoc

What's up with the license plate-doesn't look US?

jsamans

<center><img src="http://home.comcast.net/~jsamans/audi/1.jpg"></center><p>It's still illegal, but it looks so much better IMO -- if I ever get nailed I'll pay the fine. It's not a primary offense in my state so I'd have to get pulled over for something else.

C7supercharged

Can't wait to do the same

KevinGary

Sounds like you had a blast

Hayabusafalcon

2006 B7 A4 2.0T quattro , Tiptronic six-speed. 220k miles. Third owner. Cream puff.
I love to read accounts of the A4 on the road. Especially those dredged up from years ago. The OP must have just just bought the car brand-new back in May 2005.
I'm always impressed by the B7 A4. It serves a lot of different roles.
Mine (ours) is a daily commuter now, running about 35 miles each way to and from work for me. Summer and winter. It's great in foul weather.
It's also our grocery-getter a time or two during the week.
It's great in traffic, easy handling and quick when you want it to be. Good brakes!
We take it on long road trips too. 400-500 miles per day is easy, the A4 does not beat you up. Nice ride, smooth, quiet.
Plus in this day of obscene fuel prices she just sips gas. We typically get 31-32 mpg average, and maybe 34 on a long trip. Cool.

All the best, Haya....